Russian Paratroopers Get a New Commander

Shoigu called
Serdyukov a “competent leader” and a “skilled organizer.” He
also noted that Serdyukov had fulfilled important assignments in the
southwest strategic direction, consistently achieving good results
during snap drills and inspections.

In return, Colonel
General Serdyukov promised to uphold the traditions of Russia's
airborne troops, which he said were “imbued with patriotism,
selfless devotion, and indomitable will.”

Serdyukov was born
in 1962 in the Rostov region and completed the airborne officer
school in Ryazan, western Russia.

Russia's Airborne
Forces, known by the acronym VDV, are considered to be an
elite part of the Russian Armed Forces. In addition to airborne units, the army also includes airborne mountain troops and a spetsnaz
(special operations) brigade.

Typically comprised of volunteers
serving on contract, Russian paratroops can be deployed outside the country's borders and have allegedly been involved in the war in Eastern
Ukraine.

The 76th Guards Air Assault Division in particular have been accused of participating in both the annexation of Crimea and the
war in the Donbass.